To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
title
Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Humboldt County Code Section 414-4, Relating to Bridge Length and Width Restriction Penalties for South Dobbyn Creek Bridge (04C0064) on Zenia Bluff Road; Amending Section 421-7, Relating to Boulevard Stops in the Westhaven Area; Amending Sections 422-7, 422-8, 422-9, 422-10, and 422-12, Relating to Speed Limits in the Arcata and Westhaven Areas; Amending Section 431-13 Relating to Parking Restrictions in the Orick Area; Adding Section 431-45, Relating to Parking Restrictions in the McKinleyville Area; Amending Sections 431-60, 431-65(a)(7) and 431-109, Relating to Parking Restrictions in the Eureka and McKinleyville Areas; Adding Sections 431-61.0.5 and 431-108.1, Relating to Parking Restrictions in the Arcata and Samoa Areas; Repealing Sections 433-1 Through 433-11, Relating to Bridge Weight Limits in Humboldt County, Repealing Section 434-4, Relating to Restriction of Vehicles and Pedestrians on Mad River Bridge; Adding Section 434-7, Relating to Prohibition of Recreational Vehicles; Amending Section 434-10, Relating to One-Way Streets in the Eureka and McKinleyville Areas, of Title IV of the Humboldt County Code
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Introduce the attached ordinance by title and waive the first reading;
2. Set the attached ordinance for adoption on [______] [__], 2022, or at least one (1) week away from the date of the Board of Supervisors meeting at which the ordinance is first introduced;
3. Acknowledge completion of environmental compliance for the Project as categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 - “Existing Facilities” and Section 15305 - “Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations”;
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to publish the pre-adoption summary of the attached ordinance and to post a certified copy of the full text of the ordinance in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at least five (5) days prior to the Board of Supervisors meeting at which the ordinance will be adopted [California Government Code Section 25124(b)(1)]; and
5. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, within fifteen (15) days after adoption of the attached ordinance, to publish a post-adoption summary of the ordinance with the names of the Supervisors voting for and against the ordinance, and to post in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors a certified copy of the full text of the adopted ordinance and amendments along with the names of those Supervisors voting for and against the ordinance [California Government Code Section 25124(b)(1)].
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Roads Fund (1200325)
DISCUSSION:
PENALTIES:
The attached ordinance updates the penalty from $1,000 to $10,000 for violation of length and weight restrictions on South Dobbyn Creek Bridge (Bridge No. 04C0064) on Zenia Bluff Road (County Road No. F8C090), in the Alderpoint area. Due to the narrow nature of the bridge and a sharp curve at the bridge, it is not feasible for long vehicles to achieve proper alignment to cross the bridge. Due to the terrain, it is not feasible to realign the roadway at the bridge approaches to allow long vehicles to cross the bridge. When a long vehicle attempts to cross the bridge, the trailer typically tracks off the road and bridge which causes the vehicle to become stuck. This results in the road being closed for several days while the vehicle is extracted. This creates delays to the public forcing use of alternative routes, which are typically longer, to reach their destinations. In addition, a stuck vehicle further endangers life should the road need to be used as an evacuation route. During an evacuation event from a wildfire, this could also threaten life if the alternative route is blocked due to an active wildfire. Ensuring that all roadways are open helps facilitate evacuations to protect life. The driver of the vehicle is responsible for paying the fine as well as reimbursing the county for costs to repair damage to the bridge caused by the driver.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES PROHIBITION:
Roundhouse Creek Road and Ocean View Drive in the Big Lagoon Area are dead-end roads without turn arounds at their end points. Recreational vehicles (RVs) often find themselves on these roads without the ability to turn around. This creates unnecessary congestion in the neighborhood. At the request of the community, the Public Works Department is proposing to prohibit RVs on these roads except when the RV has a permit issued by Public Works. This will allow Public Works to post the prohibition at the intersection of Big Lagoon County Park Road / Roundhouse Creek Road and direct RVs to Big Lagoon County Park to turn around.
SPEED LIMITS:
The attached ordinance establishes a twenty-five (25) mile per hour speed limit residence district per California Vehicle Code Section 22352 for portions of Fickle Hill Road, portions of Freshwater Road, portions of Old Arcata Road, portions of Jacoby Creek Road and Westhaven Drive.
Stepdown speed limit zones associated with the above residence districts are also established on portions of Jacoby Creek Road, portions of Freshwater Road and portions of Old Arcata Road.
Existing County Code established a twenty-five (25) mile per hour speed limit from PM 0.000 to PM 1.100 on Westhaven Drive. The speed limit signs are posted in the correct location on the road; however, the post mile range corresponding to the signs is from PM 2.230 to PM 3.330.
STOPS:
The intersection of Westhaven Drive and Sixth Avenue is a T intersection with stop controls on the Sixth Avenue Leg. The intersection will be changed to an all-way stop due to limited sight visibility.
PARKING RESTRICTIONS:
The attached ordinance establishes parking restrictions on the following roads to address traffic safety issues in the Arcata, Eureka, McKinleyville, Orick and Samoa areas of Humboldt County:
• West side of Halfway Avenue from Post Mile 0.271 to Post Mile 0.357 in the McKinleyville area. This parking restriction is requested to accommodate future bike lanes within the improved portion of the roadway as identified in the Humboldt County Regional Bicycle Transportation Plan Update. This parking restriction was to be created at the time that the subdivision was built in 2006 per the project's conditions of approval.
• East side of Hubbard Lane from Post Mile 0.034 to Post Mile 0.046 in the Eureka area. This thirty (30) minute parking restriction is being requested by Myrtle Avenue Market to accommodate the delivery of goods to the market.
• North side of Pickett Road from Post Mile 0.000 to Post Mile 0.008 and from Post Mile 0.017 to Post Mile 0.023 in the McKinleyville area to increase on-street parking. Requested by Eureka Natural Foods.
• Establish a parking zone on the west side of Walnut Drive from Post Mile 0.339 to Post Mile 1.058 in the Eureka area. This parking restriction is being requested by Cutten school to improve traffic safety in a school zone by prohibiting parking in front of the school and requiring parents to utilize designated onsite drop off and pick up locations.
• The Grange located on Jacoby Creek Road in the Arcata area has historic parking that is perpendicular along the building. The current parking is half in the county right of way and half private parking. This ordinance will allow parking to resume from Post Mile 0.040 to Post Mile 0.067 on Jacoby Creek Road. This area is the business district and has a speed limit of 25 mph; consistent with what is appropriate for perpendicular parking.
• Establish a no parking zone on Vance Avenue in the Samoa area. Prohibit parking during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. between Post Mile 3.650 to 4.360. The road is currently signed as for no parking from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. but was never codified in county code.
• Establish a no parking zone on Bald Hills Road in the Orick area between Post Mile 12.051 to Post Mile 12.081 on both sides of the roadway.
ONE-WAY STREETS:
• Establish One-Way Street on Hubbard Lane in the Eureka area. The road is currently striped and signed as a one-way street but was never codified in county code.
• Establish One-Way Street on Airport Loop Road in the McKinleyville area. The road is currently striped and signed as a one-way street but was never codified in county code.
WEIGHT LIMITS:
The attached ordinance repeals Sections 433-1 through 433-11 of the Humboldt County Code, relating to weight limits on bridges within Humboldt County since the restrictions are no longer required by the California Department of Transportation.
BRIDGES:
The attached ordinance repeals Section 434.4 of the Humboldt County Code, relating to Jack Shaw Road since the bridge has been removed.
California Environmental Quality Act:
The attached ordinance is considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). This project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 - “Existing Facilities” and Section 15305 - “Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations” of the CEQA Guidelines. A Notice of Exemption (NOE) will be completed and filed by the Public Works Department. In addition, the application of the above-referenced categorical exemptions is not barred by any of the exceptions set forth in Section 15300.2 of the CEQA Guidelines.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the attached ordinance will require the creation and installation of regulatory signs and curb painting in the relevant locations. The estimated cost associated with the required signage and curb painting is $2,000 which is in the adopted budget for fiscal year 2022-23, Public Works, Road’s budget unit 1200-325.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached ordinance. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would not improve traffic safety in the relevant locations.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance Amending Humboldt County Code Section 414-4, Relating to Bridge Length and Width Restriction Penalties for South Dobbyn Creek Bridge (04C0064) on Zenia Bluff Road; Amending Section 421-7, Relating to Boulevard Stops in the Westhaven Area; Amending Sections 422-7, 422-8, 422-9, 422-10, and 422-12, Relating to Speed Limits in the Arcata and Westhaven Areas; Amending Section 431-13 Relating to Parking Restrictions in the Orick Area; Adding Section 431-45, Relating to Parking Restrictions in the McKinleyville Area; Amending Sections 431-60, 431-65(a)(7) and 431-109, Relating to Parking Restrictions in the Eureka and McKinleyville Areas; Adding Sections 431-61.0.5 and 431-108.1, Relating to Parking Restrictions in the Arcata and Samoa Areas; Repealing Sections 433-1 Through 433-11, Relating to Bridge Weight Limits in Humboldt County, Repealing Section 434-4, Relating to Restriction of Vehicles and Pedestrians on Mad River Bridge; Adding Section 434-7, Relating to Prohibition of Recreational Vehicles; Amending Section 434-10, Relating to One-Way Streets in the Eureka and McKinleyville Areas, of Title IV of the Humboldt County Code.
2. Pre-adoption Summary
3. Post-adoption Summary
4. Humboldt County Department of Public Works CEQA Notice of Exemption
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A